The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-03-05

the Colonel. And you made me prom.
Use. Do you remember that?'
"You asked me to look upon you as my
friend"
and ask you again, he said, gently.
II admire you-not as young man would
of course. am man nearly old enough
to be your father, Lefty. And well! the
fact is that can't help being sorry, some.
times, when / think of the loneliness of
| your position. II has come to me that If
had married at the age when men generally
marry, l might have had a daughter like
yol, and that might have died and left
her alone, and that if, when / was dying. a
comrade of mine had offered to be her
friend, il would have been a comfort to
me. want you to look upon me just as
if were that-an old comrade Of your
fathers who takes an interest in You. VIII
your
The tears sprang to Lettys eyes. he
was very kind, and it was pleasant to think
that she had friend in the woodland
such friend! But why WAS he 30 sad!
And why did her heart ache as he looked at
her?
Thank you! thank you'll" she cried, hold
ing out both her hands. Indeed l will.
And then--for the overfowmg pity OF her
womans heart would have a yelt-"and
can't bear your going away" she said. gen.
tly. The place will seem 80 empty without
you
For the space of an instant he looked at
her searchingly. Could it be that, after
all. he was mistaken? Then, while he stood
hesitating, feeling for the next word, there
came through the trees sound they both
knew. 1t was nothing but the whistle with
which Percy Winstanley was accustomed to
summon his favorite dog--a beautiful old
deer hound-from the yard; but 1t made a
diversion.
The call was repeated two or three times
impatiently, and Lefty became restless.
Il do believe they have tied poor old
Beauty up," she said. ut is too bad. Shall
we come and see, Colonel LYNDON
There WAS no further quiet talk between
Lefty and the Colonel that day, and on the
following morning he lest the Castle before
she was up.
Shortly after the Colonefs departure,
Veronica, who looked pale and worn after
her recent illness, but who was on her feet
again, called to pay her farewell visit at
Castle Ettrick. Lady Flora had been pre-
pared to receive her coldly; but, being
touched by the change in her appearance,
she forgot the displeasure in motherly
anxiety.
Are you really hit TO travel?" she said
kindly. Are you quite sure you will not
be everlasting your strength
"Oh, no, And if do, what matter? l
shall have plenty of time for rest. You
know need never do anything else" said
Veronica, with forced smile.
Neronica's visit, and the change in her
appearance and manner, made hope re-
vive in Lady Flora's breast, Girls-es-
pecially rich girls-are whimsical. 1t might
be that Percy he'd not taken quite the right
way with her. Or perhaps she expected
him 10 perseyere in the teeth of refusal.
A sprained ankle, Lady Flora was con-
WINGED, could not have caused SO great a
change.
Percy, who had rejoined his regiment,
was away from home when Miss Browne
paid her farewell visit to the Castle. On
his return for one of those brief leaves
which he often took now, his mother spoke
of it, limiting at her suspicion; but the con-
Trajectory young fellow did not take the
hint kindly. II have done with rich girls
he said; they think too much of them
selves. And don't believe, under any cir
cumstances, should have cared 10 owe my
fortune to q woman
But l thought there was no question of
money" said Lady Flora. II thought"
Re interrupted her. yes, mother. SO
did think; but we are all liable to error.
l admire Miss Browne; shall always adj
mire her; but shall never again ask her to
be my wife. And you may be sure" he
added, with a laugh, in which there was
nothing forced. that she would never
have me-"
Throughout that winter, which, for the
sake of economy, Mr.. Winstanley and Lady
Flora had decided to spend in the country,
Percy was constantly flying backward and
forward between his regiment and his
home. Ettrick seemed never to have been
SO deiightful to him, and certainly he bad
never been more delightful to his family.
Gentle, kind, considerate, full of fun, and
ready to take part in everything that was
going on, his frequent visits made the life
of the solitary country house, when the
sharp, bleak winter days frightened its
other guests away. None Of them knew
and least OF all she who had wrought the
miracle--to what influence this happy
change was due. None Of them could have
suspected that his chief attraction to Castle
Ettrick that winter was the slight, fair girl,
with the heart of lion, who had gone out
of her way to reprove him for his selfish
ness.
fro BE CONTINUED